Dominicans in Croatia

The exhibition “Dominicans in Croatia” will remain open until the end of March at the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery. For the first time ever in one place, the exhibition brings together a collection of artifacts from the rich treasuries of the monasteries and churches of the Dominican Order, which has been present in Croatia for nearly eight centuries.

In addition to the exhibition of one of the greatest painters of the 20th century, Marc Chagall, visitors to the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery can also enjoy the exhibition “Dominicans in Croatia” which will remain open until 30 March 2008. For the first time ever in one place, this unique exhibition brings together a collection of artifacts from the rich treasuries of the monasteries and churches of the Dominican Order, which has existed in Croatia for nearly eight centuries. In addition to the paintings by old masters such as Paolo Veneziani. Tintoretto, Tizian, Jacopo Palma Jr., Nikola Božidarević, Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin and Vlaho Bukovac, the exhibition also presents luxuriously illuminated manuscripts and codices, richly decorated clothing for mass services, liturgical silverware, as well as beautiful votive jewelry, which all testify to the Dominican spirituality, their contemplation and their dedication to God.

Today, Dominican monasteries exist in Dubrovnik, Korčula, Bol on the island of Brač, Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, Split and Trogir. There are also those which have been opened in the 20th century in Zagreb and Rijeka, as well as in the neighboring country of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Klopče near Zenica. Most of them were constructed in the gothic style and depict the works of many world renowned masters. The monasteries in Dubrovnik and Bol also have very rich and well organized collections of arts. Throughout their history, the Dominicans have had many deserving people among their ranks, such as the Venerable Augustin Kažotić, evangelists Klement Ranjina, Ivan Uljarević, Anđeo Miškov, theologists and writers Ivan Stojković, Luka Bračanin, Vinko Pribojević, Andrija Jamometić, and so on. The order has also had a number of bishops.